Making an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine requires patience and, in many cases, some technical knowledge.
Demand continues to outstrip supply, although President Biden has promised that there will be enough vaccine for all American adults by the end of May.
But even for the impatient and those without the Internet, there are alternative solutions.
So far, 25% of Michigan adults aged 16 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 14% are fully immunized.
Here are some tips for making an appointment.
Make sure that you are eligible.
Those currently eligible for vaccination appointments include anyone aged 65 and over, those aged 50 to 64 with a disability or medical condition that makes them vulnerable to COVID complications and caregivers of children with special needs at any age. (Click here for a list of eligible medical conditions.)
The eligible list also includes essential workers employed as health workers, long-term care workers, first responders, correctional workers, daycare and school staff, employees in congregated care facilities, mortuary service workers, food processing workers and environments agricultural products.
From March 22, eligibility will be expanded to anyone aged 50 and over, regardless of health status, and those aged 16 to 49 with a pre-existing condition.
All Michigan residents will be eligible for a vaccine from April 5.
Register in several places.
Most vaccines are being administered by hospitals, local health departments, pharmacies and health centers qualified by the federal government. Most of the time, doctors’ offices still do not offer the vaccine.
Subscribe to the waiting lists available in your area, recognizing that not all providers have waiting lists. However, DO NOT schedule multiple appointments. As soon as you get an appointment, show up or cancel; don’t be a no show.
Here is a link to a federal website for the Centers for Disease Control that shows which pharmacies in your area are offering the vaccine.
For those who do not want or cannot seek an appointment online
The key here is to register at places that have waiting lists. Check with your local hospitals and your health department. Meijer also uses a waiting list system.
The advantage of waiting lists is that they will contact you when times are available. The disadvantage is that it takes longer to make an appointment.
How to register with a pharmacy.
At this point, retail pharmacies are the number one supplier of vaccines for those who are starting the process. However, many places only schedule appointments a week or two in advance due to uncertainty about how many doses will be available in a given week.
The main retailers that supply vaccines:
- Meijer is creating waiting lists and will send a text message with an invitation for you to schedule a vaccine clinic. Here is the link to the website to register. One disadvantage: you can only sign up for a waiting list at a store.
- Rite-Aid it is not making waiting lists, but the advantage is that you can check availability at various locations. Here is the website to schedule an appointment.
- Walgreen’s it is also not making waiting lists. This is their website for scheduling an appointment, and you can also sign up for updates on availability.
- Kroger it is also not making waiting lists. Here is the link to schedule an appointment.
- Walmart is offering vaccines in some locations; the link to schedule an appointment.
- Some independent pharmacies also offer vaccines. Check the CDC vaccine locator website for a list of pharmacies near you, as well as contact information for those stores.
How to register with your local health department and / or hospital.
Some health departments and hospitals are creating waiting lists and others are releasing appointment blocks at specific times.
Here is a link to contact information for local health departments.
To check the availability of the vaccine at your local hospital, search for “COVID vaccine” on Google and the name of the hospital. Most hospitals require you to create an online account or download an application to join the waiting list.
Mass vaccination site at Ford Field.
The state and federal governments are setting up a mass vaccination clinic in Ford Field, Detroit, where 8,000 people will be vaccinated daily, starting March 24.
The site will be open from 8 am to 8:30 pm, seven days a week, until mid-May.
Registration is available through these three options:
- Online at meijer.com/register/CL2021
- Send EndCOVID to 75049
- Call the MDHHS COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1), Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8 am to 1 pm. The call center is expected to have long waiting times. calling is recommended only for people who cannot register online or by text.
After completing the registration process, people who register will receive an invitation by “voice or text when it is their turn to schedule the service. Vaccine appointments will be scheduled a few days in advance.
The state hotline is available for those who cannot register online.
Residents who do not have access to the Internet or who need help navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1) from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm , Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 1pm
If you have time …
Almost all vaccination providers in Michigan require consultations. That said, if you attend a retail pharmacy at the end of a vaccination clinic, it is possible that you will receive extra vaccines because of no-shows and you will be able to get your first vaccine that way.
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